In a bold move, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger decided to break away from the regional bloc ECOWAS in January, citing concerns over their sovereignty. This decision led to the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) last year.
Recently, Mali’s transitional president announced the launch of new biometric passports under AES, with Burkina Faso also issuing similar passports without the ECOWAS logo. The goal is to harmonize travel documents and facilitate citizen mobility globally.
The three countries accused ECOWAS of being a tool for foreign powers and have cut defense ties with France due to alleged meddling and failure to address jihadist violence in the Sahel region. Despite ECOWAS urging them to reconsider, the states remain firm in their decision to stay out of the bloc.
As tensions persist, the Sahel leaders are working on draft protocols to address the implications of their exit from ECOWAS. This development marks a significant shift in West African politics and economics.
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